Onto my second hotel stay of July – a conference trip and overnight stay at the Celtic Manor in Wales. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to this one, as I’ve felt a bit of conference fatigue this year, and I’d made an assumption that the hotel wasn’t going to be that great.
I was way wrong.
To make it clear, I was actually working for the two days I spent there. There were a whole bunch of seminars about our records database and I learnt a lot. Many exciting (if you’re me) developments and lots of things to look forward to (again, if you’re me) in forthcoming updates.
But there was also a bit of downtime, which allowed me to spend a significant time in the spa. YES!
When my manager and I arrived, we were told that the actual conference was three escalators down. Whoa, this was a big hotel. Crazy Vegas size. There was an insane amount of space downstairs, and I’ve just read that they’re building an even bigger centre which looks very impressive. In a break, a plan was made to visit the spa, just to see if they had any availability at the end of the day. And what do you know, they had time for us both to have a Elemis facial. At £20 for 25 minutes, it was ridiculous value for money and left my skin feeling zingy.
After the facial, I said goodbye to my manager as she wasn’t staying overnight, and checked into my room.
For some fortuitous reason, I had been given a Signature Room – new decor, Elemis toiletries, complimentary wine and chocolates, HUGE bed, and access to the Signature Lounge and restaurant which I visited for breakfast the following morning. I even got a signature smoothie with my toast.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
As I was there alone, I didn’t fancy going to the conference dinner but they were all booked up at the Forum Spa so I was preparing to curl up on the HUGE bed and read. On flicking through the brochures, I suddenly realised they had a second spa up in the Golf Club and managed to get a massage appointment. YAY for the Ocius Spa! I trekked up the hill, spent a wonderful 25 minutes getting my back pummelled, and then wandered back down the hill in time for some room service.
My yummy burger arrived at the same time as the turndown service, another treat that comes with the Signature Room. I should have said yes for curiosity sake, but I got a bit flustered so said I didn’t need it. I did get a free Elemis lip balm though which was AMAZING.
Lots more work followed the next day, but I snuck away at lunch to have a manicure. It was possibly the best conference/spa break I’ve ever been to.
untold blisses 
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